An emergency can happen at any time. That is why you and your family always need to be prepared. Take the time now to pack a household emergency kit for your home and a go bag in case you need to evacuate. Sit down with your family and write down an emergency plan that includes who you will call and where you will meet if they can’t reach you.

A little preparation now will go a long way to keeping you and your family safe, no matter what the emergency.

Get a kit!Make a plan!Be informed!

Get a kit!

You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it might take days. In addition, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days, or even a week or longer.

Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance: how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations.

The Town of Greenburgh has been affected by snow storms, wind/rain storms, power outages, floods, fires, hurricanes and even tornados. These events can impact just your family, your community or even the whole Town.

When a major disaster occurs, your community can change in an instant. Loved ones may be hurt and emergency response is likely to be delayed. Make sure that at least one member of your household is trained in first aid and CPR and knows how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). This training is useful in many emergency situations.

Join the Greenburgh Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Learn how to help you family, your community and First Responders in an Emergency. All training is free and people of all ages and physical capabilities can join.

Sign up for emergency updates. Visit www.westchestergov.com/CENS for updates from the Westchester County Office of Emergency Management and www.nyalert.gov for updates from New York State Emergency Management Office.

Greenburgh residents can also tune in to WFAS Radio 103.9FM to receive up to date emergency information.

For more information on Preparing for Emergencies or Joining the Greenburgh Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) contact Sgt. Tanya Olson at 914-989-1795 or tolson@greenburghny.com